Vice Presidential Candidate of the People’s Democratic
Party, PDP, in 2019 election, His Excellency Mr Peter Obi, has blamed
the horrible spate of drug abuse among Nigerian youths to the ever
worsening economic realities prevalent in the country, saying that a
visible economic recovery will see a drastic reduction in the number of
drug abusers in the country.
Obi,
who made this known via a Press Release commemorating the 2020
International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, themed
“Better Knowledge for Better Care”, explained that ignorance, youth
unemployment and frustration are major contributing factors to drug
abuse and illicit trafficking in Nigeria. He advised that a wholesome
war against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking will involve mitigating
the harsh economic realities people contend with in their daily lives.
Obi
explained that engaging the youths in productive endeavours by
providing jobs and investing heavily in the MSME sector would help curb
the rising rate of drugs and substance abuse.
“The
increasing rate of drug and substance abuse and illicit trafficking in
the world, more so in our country Nigeria, is very worrisome. The harsh
economic realities we live through each day in our country can be so
overwhelming and has contributed in frustrating many youths into
unwholesome acts like drug addictions and substance abuse.
“A
wholesome war against drug abuse will involve measures taken by the
government to stem unemployment and investing heavily in the MSME sector
to engage the youth in productive endeavours. An idle mind, they say,
is a devil’s workshop.
“A
good economic environment will also discourage illicit trafficking
which thrives in environments of conflict, violence, and organized
crime”, Obi submitted.
Obi
further called on the government and relevant organizations to engage
in massive awareness on the dangers of drug abuse, while lending helping
hands to those drowning in the ocean of drug addiction.
“It
is our collective responsibility as a people; governments at all levels
and organizations, to unite and eradicate this evil menace ravaging our
society by constantly educating our wards on the ugly repercussions of
drug abuse while proffering solutions to those who are already neck deep
into drug abuse and other addictions”, Obi concluded.
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